Man who lost both legs in crash hails Staffordshire firefighter his 'guardian angel'

Part-time firefighter Tim Anslow was travelling home from his day job at Toyota in Derby in the early hours of the morning when he spotted a car on its side down an embankment.

The 48-year-old from Great Wyrley spotted the driver of the vehicle, known as Naz, on the road and saw that his legs were bleeding seriously.

He grabbed his friend's belt and used it to control the flow of blood. Tim kept Naz warm and conscious while he waited for the emergency services to arrive.

A doctor who treated him said Tim's action's saved his life.

Mr Anslow, who has now become firm friends with Naz, was honoured for his bravery at an event at Chase Terrace Community Fire Station last Tuesday.

The drama unfolded on February 7 last year just before 4am between the A38 and Pavilion Grove in Burton.

Mr Anslow, who has been a firefighter for 15 years, said: "It is an honour for me. They say once a fireman, always a fireman and if there's an accident I will always stop.

"On that night I immediately went into fireman's mode. You can imagine it was quite horrific but the training I had from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue gave me the confidence to know what to do.

"Naz took my phone number and I met him for the first time in June last year - he called me his guardian angel the first time we met.

"It was good to meet him and we've met on numerous times since, I always pop over when I'm in Burton and he shows me his new prosthetic legs.

"He is living a normal life now - considering the injuries he's had he is very upbeat about life."

Mr Anslow has now been shortlisted for the Fire Service Champion title after being nominated in the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's annual MORE awards.

Station manager of Chase Terrace Community Fire Station, Tim Hollingworth added:"Mr Anslow's actions undoubtedly helped to save this gentleman's life and deserve to be recognised."